Sportswriter Drew Ellis examines the rivalry between Michigan State and U-of-Michigan. Impartial to both, he will judge who is a step ahead or behind both on the football field and on the basketball court. Join in on the debate and follow him on Twitter @ellisdrew

Monday, November 19, 2012

Devin and Denard - what could have been

Last Saturday saw another sizeable win for the Michigan football team,
but it came in a little different style.

After missing the last two games with an injury to his
elbow, Denard Robinson returned to the field against Iowa and was creatively used alongside
backup quarterback Devin Gardner.

Robinson didn’t throw a pass in the game. He was instead
used as a running back and a receiver.

Defenses still had to respect Robinson for his speed and his
quickness while Gardner
remained the quarterback. Gardner
finished with 314 yards passing and three touchdowns while running for two more
scores.

The Michigan
offense totaled over 500 yards and looked as good as it has all season, but the
real question is, why now?

Obviously the answer for Saturday was to get Robinson on the
field for his final home game with Michigan.

But, when you see what this offense is capable of with Gardner at quarterback
and Robinson used as a running back/receiver, you have to scratch your head at
why this wasn’t implemented earlier. Last season saw Gardner take some occasional snaps at
quarterback with Robinson, but it wasn’t anything like what we saw on Saturday.

Could this combination have helped in games against Alabama, Notre Dame and Nebraska?

Digging up this kind of success this late in the season
doesn’t do much good for Michigan outside of
possibly beating OhioState, but even a win over the Buckeyes won’t get
them a Big Ten title unless Nebraska
loses.

Is it fair to say that Brady Hoke and the Michigan coaching staff missed the boat
here?

Coaches always say they have to put their best 11 on the
field each week.

It is starting to appear that the Wolverines haven’t had
their best lineup on the field most of the season.

What are your thoughts on how Michigan used Robinson/Gardner against Iowa

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About Me

I work for The Oakland Press as a sports writer and copy editor. I cover college football along with some prep sports. I spent six years covering Central Michigan University football, men's basketball, and baseball for The Morning Sun in Mt. Pleasant.